20 Best Restaurants in Leeds for 2024
From high-end eateries to casual dining, restaurants in Leeds have all the bases covered. Known as the foodie capital of the North, Leeds serves up traditional Yorkshire fare alongside diverse world cuisines.
Save this definitive list of restaurants in Leeds for your next trip and you won’t be left hungry, that’s for sure. Leeds boasts an independent food scene that rivals the big contenders such as London and Liverpool. So, take to the streets of this West Yorkshire city and explore the best restaurants in Leeds before anyone else. What are you waiting for? It’s time to uncover some culinary gems.
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Top Restaurants in Leeds
1. Bundobust
One of the best Indian restaurants in Leeds, Bundobust has expanded to Manchester and Liverpool due to the success of the original.
The Vibe
Perfect for sharing small plates with friends, this eatery is as famous for its friendly atmosphere as it is for its range of flavoursome vegetarian bites.
What to Order
To complement a bottle of local craft beer or two, go for the bundo chaat and biryani bhaji balls.
Bundobust | 6 Mill Hill Leeds LS1 5DQ | ££
2. Fint
Nordic-inspired Fint is a relaxed and cosy spot, an ideal breakfast or brunch restaurant in Leeds.
The Vibe
Set against stylish, laid-back pine interiors, Fint offers up an array of organic and seasonal Scandi-licious dishes.
What to Order
Pop down for breakfast and order the buckwheat porridge or opt for the duck crumpet Benedict. A sophisticated way to start the day in one of the top brunch restaurants in Leeds.
Fint | 73 Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3BR | £££
3. House of Fu
Hipster hangout, House of Fu, is a top spot for music lovers and foodies on the hunt for the best restaurants in Leeds.
The Vibe
Go here for gyozas, stay for karaoke and cocktails — this bar-restaurant in Leeds is the antidote to a boring Friday night.
What to Order
Aside from a warming bowl of noodles, you’ve got to try the frozen yuzu margaritas and the dessert ice cream sandwiches for afters.
House of Fu | 15 - 19 Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU | ££
4. Home
Chef Elizabeth Cottam serves up reimagined British classics in her highly acclaimed restaurant in Leeds, Home.
The Vibe
The vibe is monochrome, from the cutlery to the floors, but the food is infinitely more vibrant.
What to Order
Opt for a five- or eight-course tasting menu to get a true taste of all this fine dining establishment has to offer. Expect elevated British cuisine and you won’t be disappointed in one of the best restaurants in Leeds.
Home | 3 Brewery Place, Leeds LS10 1NE | ££££
5. Prashad
For authentic Gujarati and South-Indian food, head to Prashad in nearby Bradford, West Yorkshire.
The Vibe
Prashad used to be a deli and has now evolved into a popular place to eat Indian vegetarian dishes. It stands out from the abundance of curry houses in the area, which is no mean feat.
What to Order
Order the fermented lentil and rice flour dosa alongside the chef’s thali, showcasing the very best this restaurant in Leeds has to offer.
Prashad | 137 Whitehall Road Drighlington BD11 1AT | ££
6. Ox Club
Step inside the Ox Club restaurant in Leeds, to experience award-winning, contemporary British dishes touched by flame.
The Vibe
If you are a meat-lover looking for restaurants in Leeds to satiate your carnivorous side, this is the place. The focus here is on wood-fired cuts of meat, grilled to perfection.
What to Order
We recommend starting with the smoked bloody mary, a drink that perfectly captures the fiery flavours of the menu. Choose from grilled sardine or roast rump for mains and make sure you save space for the burnt Basque cheesecake.
Ox Club | Bramleys Yard, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU | £££
7. Salvos’ Salumeria
Looking for authentic Italian restaurants in Leeds? Make sure you try Salvos’ Salumeria.
The Vibe
Established in Leeds since 1976, family-owned Salvos’ Salumeria have over 40 years experience bringing Italian delicacies to the people of West Yorkshire.
What to Order
The risotto alla boscaiola is an unmissable celebration of truffled woodland mushroom and roasted oyster mushrooms.
Salvos’ Salumeria | 109 Otley Road, Leeds LS6 3PX | ££
8. Sukhothai
Sukhothai is one the top Thai restaurants in Leeds to get your fix of Tom Yum.
The Vibe
Relax in the opulent golden-toned interiors of this mini-chain restaurant, spreading its success across the region.
What to Order
Make a party out of it and book a bottomless brunch. The servings are as generous as they are full of flavour. Go for the pad ga prao, a stir-fry dish for lovers of spice.
Sukhothai | 15 South Parade, Leeds LS1 5QS | ££
9. Friends of Ham
For a British take on the Spanish tapas scene, head to Friends of Ham, a bar and charcuterie-style restaurant in Leeds.
The Vibe
Restaurants in Leeds are mostly on the casual side, but this is no bad thing. Friends of Ham is no exception; this is relaxed dining with drinks at its finest.
What to Order
Sharing platters are a must in true tapas style. Opt for the Spanish Board, showcasing a selection of Spanish greats, including Iberico ham, Manchego cheese and quince jelly.
Friends of Ham | 4 New Station St., Leeds LS1 5DL | ££
10. Three’s a Crowd
Wander off the beaten track and you’ll find Three’s a Crowd. For modern gastro pub restaurants in Leeds, this is one for your list.
The Vibe
The shabby-chic vibe of Three’s a Crowd puts you immediately at ease. Combined with the high ceilings and windows, the space is both inviting and comforting.
What to Order
The braised pigs cheeks in an aromatic pearl barley and rosemary stew comes highly recommended.
Three’s a Crowd | 76 - 78 North St., Leeds LS2 7PN | ££
11. Lupe's Cantina Mexicana
Family-run restaurant Lupe's Cantina Mexicana proves that Mexican cuisine is not just tacos and tortillas.
The Vibe
If you’re looking for restaurants in Leeds to open your mind, Lupe's Cantina Mexicana is the place to be. This restaurant brings a level of authenticity rarely seen in Mexican establishments in the U.K.
What to Order
The head chef Rudy was born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico, so you can expect something special. Tuck into the traditional Oaxacan lamb dish borrego en mole negra, with black mole and mashed potatoes.
Lupe's Cantina Mexicana | 204 Cardigan Road, Burley, Leeds LS6 1LF | ££
12. Wen’s Restaurant
Wen’s is a popular place amongst visitors and locals alike, serving up home-style Chinese dishes at their restaurant in Leeds.
The Vibe
As one of the top Chinese restaurants in Leeds, Wen’s invites you to savor the richness of authentic, traditional dishes and experience the true essence of Chinese cuisine.
What to Order
The wonton soup with peppery watercress leaves is a crowd-pleaser and a flavoursome way to start your meal.
Wen’s Restaurant | 72-74 North St., Leeds LS2 7PN | ££
13. Eat Your Greens
Eat Your Greens is one of those restaurants in Leeds with a difference. Greengrocers by day and eating establishment at night, you can shop for the week and treat yourself to a tasty meal.
The Vibe
Sustainability is at the heart of this friendly eatery’s ethos. Although vegetarian and vegan fare are championed, sustainably sourced meat is also on the menu.
What to Order
For a comforting dish with pep, go for the bubble and squeak croquettes smothered in a cold but piquant tomato sauce.
Eat Your Greens | 42 New York St., Leeds LS2 7DY | ££
14. The Swine That Dines
The Swine That Dines is a salute to meat, successfully serving up nose-to-tail dining alongside vegetarian roots and shoots options.
The Vibe
It’s easy to see how The Swine That Dines was born out of a supper club concept, as the relaxed down-to-earth ambience makes you feel like you’ve walked into the owners’ home.
What to Order
The venison faggots offer a rich and gamey flavour-bomb, combined with butter beans, pancetta and confit garlic, making it clear that these restaurateurs have a true passion for produce.
The Swine That Dines | 58 North St., Leeds LS2 7PN | £££
15. The Whitehall
The Whitehall is a hidden gem no more as we’ve outed it as one of Leeds’ best restaurants and bars.
The Vibe
Spacious, light and airy interiors with high ceilings scream elegance in an understated way at this restaurant in Leeds. The menu mimics the space, a blend of style and substance.
What to Order
For an extra special treat, start with oysters followed by a seafood linguine with king scallop and surf clams.
The Whitehall | West Point Building, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 4JY | £££
16. Tharavadu
For a slice of authentic Keralan cuisine in Leeds, head to Tharavadu, a restaurant recommended by industry experts Michelin Restaurant Guide and BBC Good Food Magazine.
The Vibe
Forget what you think you know about Indian food and open your mind to something new. A guide to restaurants in Leeds wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Tharavadu.
What to Order
Go for the most popular dish on the menu, the meen koottan, and you won’t be disappointed. Kerala is known for its spiced seafood dishes, so it makes sense to order this aromatic fish curry.
Tharavadu | 7-8 Mill Hill, Leeds LS1 5DQ | ££
17. Blue Sakura
Blue Sakura specialises in Japanese style tapas, with both hot and cold sharing dishes on the all-you-can-eat menus.
The Vibe
Typical Japanese eatery interiors furnished with wood panelling and adorned with cherry blossom trees. You would forget you were in a restaurant in Leeds.
What to Order
Make sure you try the black dragon roll, filled with shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber and barbecue eel.
Blue Sakura | 2-3 Merrion Way, Leeds LS2 8BT | ££
18. Kendells Bistro
Kendells Bistro brings a touch of French flair and traditional fare to Leeds.
The Vibe
If you’re looking for first date restaurants in Leeds, Kendells Bistro should be top of your list. The cosy, intimate atmosphere combined with classic French cuisine is a recipe for love.
What to Order
All your French favourites are on the menu, but we recommend the goats cheese tart to start, followed by roast veal chop drenched in a creamy, tarragon and truffle oil infused sauce.
Kendells Bistro | 3 St Peters Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 8AH | ££
19. Owt
Owt used to be located in Leed’s landmark The Corn Exchange Owt. However, having outgrown its old premises, the café restaurant has now moved to a corner spot on Burley Road.
The Vibe
Unfussy fare for breakfast, brunch and lunch, anything goes at low-key café Owt, which started life on Leeds Kirkgate Market.
What to Order
As one of the most relaxed restaurants in Leeds, the food also follows suit. To stave off hunger pangs, dig into the hash brown buns and fried chicken sandwiches.
Owt | 104 Burley Road, Woodhouse, Leeds LS3 1JP | ££
20. The Empire Café
Located just off the main shopping street, The Empire Café is an ideal stop-off point for lunch in Leeds.
The Vibe
One of the original restaurants in Leeds with a history going as far back as 1884, The Empire Café showcases traditional Yorkshire fare together with a few modern twists.
What to Order
Feeling adventurous? Try the old vs. new Leeds mashup, packaged up in the spam pakora dish with egg yolk jam and chilli.
The Empire Café | 6 Fish St., Leeds LS1 6DB | ££
Try Cooking Yorkshire Foods
While eating out in Yorkshire’s best restaurants is an experience not to be missed, nothing beats home cooking. By recreating the recipes of Yorkshire, you can get a true taste of what the region has to offer. Yorkshire is famous for its comforting dishes, such as gravy-soaked Yorkshire puddings, which are a must for any roast in the region. For tea time, a brew accompanied with a slice of Yorkshire curd tart is the perfect sweet treat.
To learn how to craft the hearty cuisine of Yorkshire, search for cooking classes near you to find hands-on workshops specialising in dishes specific to the region. There are many advantages to taking cooking classes, one being that you will learn to cook dishes that have been passed down among generations of Yorkshire folk. Cooking classes provide a unique insight to a region's culinary past and give you the most authentic experience of its cuisine.
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
Yorkshire’s fertile dales and bountiful beaches churn out the finest foods at the core of some of the most delicious dishes in the U.K. From rhubarb to pheasant, IPA to smoked crab, as a region Yorkshire brings a lot to the table. Leeds is a city that is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants but equally has an impressive casual dining scene. With something for every taste and budget, restaurants in Leeds are definitely worth checking out.
For even more ways to explore Leeds and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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